Means for automatically lighting gas-lamps



(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheen 1f.

N. L. SMITH.

MEANS POR AUTOMATIGALLY LIGHTING GAS LAMPS. N0. 306,652. Patented 00's. 14, 1884.

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MEANS FOR AUTOMATIGALLY LIGHTNG GAS LAMPS. No. 306,652.4 Patented Oct. 14, 1884.

- IINTTT STATES PATENT Tirion.

MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING GAS-LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,652, dated October 14, 1884.

Application tiled December QE), 1853. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, NORME L. SMITH, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain Improvements in Means for Automatically Lighting Gas-Lamps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention has reference to a device for automatically lighting street and other lamps, used in connection with a general system of gas-distribution; and the said invention consists of the improved construction hereinafter describedand set forth.

In the accompanying drawings,forming part of the specification, Figure l represents a side elevation of a device embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same; Figs. 3 and 4, plan views of detached parts; and Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed views. Figs. 7 and 8 are side views of the parts illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4.

A represents a chambered head, which has an opening at its lower end, with which communicates the gas-supply pipe B. The upper portion, C, of said head Ais enlarged, as shown in Figs. l and 2, and is cored out to form achamber, smaller vertical chamber, b, formed in the vertical portion cof the said head, above the end of the gas-supply pipe B. A circular ilexible disk or diaphragm, D,` rests upon the upper face of the portion C of the head A, and is clamped in position upon said head by a circular case, E, interiorly threaded at d, toengage threads on the outer side of the portion C of the head A, to insure the retention of said case E upon said portion C. The said caseE is provided upon its upper face with an annular extension, F, which is provided integrally on its inner face with a series of lugs or ears, e, located equidistant from each other. The annular extension F is exteriorly threaded at f, to engage an interiorly-threaded cap, G,

which covers the diaphragm. Circular plates g g, of smaller diameter than the diaphragm D, are arranged centrally in contact therewith, respectively above and below the same, and are retained in position by means of a thimble, h, which passes through a perforation therea, which communicates with a` for in both of said plates g g and said diaphragm D, and is threaded on its upper end to engage a clamp-nut, i. Athreaded thumbscrew, j, passes through a threaded opening therefor in each of the lugs e; and serves to regulate the vertical movement of the diaphragm D. A threaded bolt, H, passes through the thimble, and is retained in its proper position within said thimble by the threads thereof engaging corresponding threads in the thimble-opening. The lower end of the bolt H projects for a considerable distance below the diaphragm D, and is perforated at its lower extremity, Z, for the attachment of one end of a chain or link, m, to the other end of which is suspended a valve, I.

From a branch opening located in the side of the head A extends the burner-pipe J, the -upper end of which carries the main burner. The said main burner-pipe J communicates with the chamber b. An auxiliary burner, L, is supplied through a smaller pipe, @which runs parallel with the pipe J, and communicates directly with the gas-supply pipe B. An extension or guide, o, depends from the under side of the valve I down into the chamber b, and insures the proper return of said valve I to its seat. A series of openings, p, concentric with the chamber b, permit communication between the main gas-supply pipe B and the cored-out chamber a of the head A around the valve I. A vent or pipe, M, located in the upper face of the cap G, permits the movement of the diaphragm without compressing the air above the same.

In ordinary street systems of gas-supply the gas flows at alowpressure duringtheday,which low-pressure fluid passes from the main supplypipe B through the pipe n to the auxiliary burner L, which is always kept burning, and which gives a very small flame. Now, when at night-time the pressure is increased,the gas, passing through the openings I), exerts a violent force upon the diaphragm, and the valve I is lifted from its seat, the high-pressure fluid passing to the chamber b through the pipe .I to the main burner K, which is immediately ignited in consequence of the proximity of the auxiliary burner L. By adjusting the screws j the vertical movement of the diaphragm is controlled, and the consequent supply of high- IOO the communication ofthe main burner, a diaphragm secured peripherally above said valve and connected thereto, a directpassage from the main supply to the space below said diaphragm, and a thumb screw or screws bearing in the casing independent of said valve and diaphragm, and adapted to limit the movement of the diaphragm, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in an automatic gaslighting apparatus, of a main burner, an auxiliary burner, a valve controlling` the supply of gas to the main burner, a disk or diaphragm connected to the main valve and secured in position by means of a cap or case adjustably secured on the diskseat, and an air vent or pipe connected to the case or cap, to establish a communication between the atmosphere and the space above said disk or diaphragm and permit the expulsion or admission of air under the movements of the same, substantially as set forth.-

3. The combination, in an automatic gaslighting apparatus, of a main burner, an auxiliary burner, a chambered head connected to said main and auxiliary burner, a gas-supply pipe communicating with the chamber of said head, a diaphragm or disk covering the chamber of said head and retained thereon by a case provided with devices for limiting the movement of the diaphragm, adapted to receive a threaded cap, substantially as herein described.

4. The combination, in an automatic gaslighting apparatus, of a main burner, a valve controlling the supply of gas to said main burner, a diaphragm adapted to be operated as described, a threaded perforation therein, and a threaded bolt vertically adjustable in said diaphragm connected to said valve, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, in an automatic gaslighting apparatus, of a main burner, a valve controlling the supply of gas to said main burner, a diaphragm adapted to be operated as described, a plate arranged above and below said diaphragm, and perforated to register with a perforation in said diaphragm, an interiorly-threaded thimble passing through said perforation, and a bolt passing through the threaded perforation of the thimble, vertically adjustable therein and connected to the said valve, substantially as set forth.

6. rlhe combination, in an automatic gaslighting apparatus, of a main burner, an auxiliary burner, a valve controlling the gas-supply to the main burner, a diaphragm connected to said valve, a case or ring clamping said diaphragm in position, and provided with a series of perforated lugs or ears supporting set-screws for limiting the movement of the diaphragm, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sot my hand and seal this 10th day of December, A. D. 1883.

NORRIE L. SMITH.

Witnesses:

PHrLLir GooDr-IURT, M. S. XVADHAM. 

